Transport dollies



Dec. 5.1961 L. H. BEST 3,011,668

TRANSPORT DOLLIES Filed Nov. 6, 1958 3 sheets-Sheet 1 FIGI INVENTOR.LEON H. BEST z /lzzww/fw ATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1961 L. H. BEST TRANSPORTDOLLIES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 6, 1958 LEON H. BEST Meow/MATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1961 H. BEST TRANSPORT DOLLIES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledNov. 6, 1958 INVENTOR. LEON H. BEST (Za v ATTORNEYS United States3,011,668 TRANSPORT DOLLIES Leon H. Best, Galva, 111., assignor to JohnH. Best & Sons, Inc, Galva, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov.6, 1958, Ser. No. 772,338 4 Claims. (Cl. 214-370) This invention relatesto carriage and supporting dollies and particularly to dollies forhandling heavy rolls of material exemplified by elongated rolls oflinoleum.

Elongated rolls of material, such as linoleum rolls pose a specialhandling problem. These rolls are quite bulky and heavy and areoftentimes stacked close to one another. In many situations one man maybe required to handle a single roll by himself in which case thehandling problem is quite difficult. It is therefore a primary object ofthe present invention to construct a carriage and supporting dolly forelongated heavy rolls of material in such wise that a single man mayeasily load one of these rolls onto the dolly and easily trmsport thesame.

A further object of the present invention is to construct a dolly insuch fashion that a heavy roll of material may be easily lifted from asupporting surface and transported in a direction lengthwise of theroll.

Another object of the present invention is to construct a supporting andcarriage dolly for elongated rolls of material in an efiicient andeconomical fashion and in a manner facilitating storage of the dolly ina small space.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following description and claims and are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, which, by way of illustration, show a preferredembodiment of the present invention and the principle thereof and what Inow consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applyingthat principle. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same orequivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made asdesired by those skilled in the art without departing from the presentinvention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dolly constituting the presentinvention as associated with a number of vertical extending rolls ofmaterial;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dolly illustrated in FIG. 1, butillustrating a different operative position of the elements comprisingthe dolly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the dolly illus trated in FIGS.1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the portion of the dolly illustrated in FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the dolly of FIG. 4, but illustrating anotheroperative position of the pick-up arm illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of certain cooperating elements associated withthe pick-up arm illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the elements illustrated in FIG. 6 andtaken on the section lines 77 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the elements of FIG. 6 taken onthe section lines S--8 of FIG. 6.

The dolly of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 in operativeposition ready to pick up a roll of material such as represented by therolls of linoleum LR in FIG. 1. The dolly is particularly adapted to bemoved adjacent to such a roll which in most instances will be lying onits side rather than upright as illustrated in FIG. 1, and the dolly isused to pick up such roll and transport it to any desired location.

The frame of the dolly is generally designated at 10. Associated withthe frame are a pair of spaced pick-up 3,911,668 Patented Dec. 5, 1961arms 11 and 12 at opposite ends of the frame. The side of the dollyopposite to the arms 11 and 12 carries handles 13 and 14 for ease inmanipulating the dolly in a manner which will be pointed out more fullyhereinafter. The frame of the dolly includes elongated supportingrollers 15, 16 and 17 which are so positioned on the frame as to definean upwardly open cradle for the reception of a roll of material thereonwith the longitudinal axis of the roll being generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the rollers.

The frame 10 of the dolly includes end castings 18 which are spacedapart and held in the spaced relation illustrated in the drawings byspacer rods 19. The opposite ends of the spacer rods 19 have nuts 20secured thereto therein so that bolts 19B (FIG. 2) may be passed throughthe outer sides of the end castings and threaded into the nuts to holdthe end castings and the ends of the spacer rods in secure abuttingrelation, thus defining a generally rigid frame. It should be noted thatthe spacer rods 19 extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe frame and are spaced inwardly from the outer and opposite sides ofthe frame as is illustrated in FIG. 3. Each end casting 18 includesdepending ears 22 formed integrally therewith and at the opposite sidesthereof. Supporting wheels 23 are journalled for rotation in the earswith their axes extending generally transverse of the longitudinal axisof the frame.

Each of the end castings has an upper surface ofwidely divergent,generally U-shaped form so that the roll of material as LR, as is seenin FIG. 3, may rest on the rollers 15 and 17 and have the lowerperipheral surface thereof beneath the upper surface of these rollers.The rollers 15 and 17 are journalled for rotation on supporting rods 24that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and which areconnected at opposite sides of the end castings at the upper portionsthereof. The medial roller 16 is similarly journalled for rotation on arod 24 which is positioned between the rods 24 supporting the rollers 15and 17 and at a lower level near the bottom of the U-shaped uppersurface of the end casting. Suitable lock nuts 25 and 26 may be threadedonto the outer ends of the rods 24 on opposite sides of the end castingsso as to hold the rods in fixed position.

The spacer rods 19 may have plates 27 welded thereto to aid in holdingthe rods in properly spaced relation.

A pair of pivot wheels 28 are journalled for rotation on an axle 29which is fixed to and supported by the spacer rods 19 in transverserelation thereto. The pivot wheels 28 are so positioned that their lowersurfaces are positioned below a plane passed through the lower surfacesof the supporting wheels 23 carried by the end castings so that theframe will be supported, when in the carrying position, by the pivotwheels 28 and one or the other of the wheels 23 supporting one endcasting.

In order to provide ease in manipulating the dolly when the pick-up armsare to be used in a way to be explained, each end casting has a sleeve30 formed unitarily therewith on the side thereof opposite the sidewhich carries the pick-up arms, and the handles 13 and 14 are simplyinserted into the bores of the sleeves in the manner illustrated in FIG.1 so that the frame of the dolly may be tilted upwardly and downwardabout the wheels 23 on the opposite side of the frame. It should benoted that the pivot wheels 28 are spaced quite close to thelongitudinal axis of the supporting wheels 23 so that as the frame istilted about the left hand set of wheels 23, as illustrated in FIG. 3,the pivot wheels 28 come away from the supporting surface for the dolly.Vertically spaced flanges 30a and 30b, FIGS. 1 and 3, are joined to andproject inward from the sleeves so as to define storage compartments inwhich the ends of the handles =13 and 14 may rest, as seen in FIG. 3,when the handles are not needed for tilting the dolly.

Each of the pick-up arms 11 and 12 is mounted on an end casting 18 forswinging movement about an axis extending transversely to thelongitudinal axis of the dolly. Each arm is slidably and rotatablypositioned on a rod 31 which extends outwardly from the related endcasting and which is held in fixed position by means of a pair ofsupporting ears 32 and 33, FIG. 3, which are formed integrally with theend casting at a point above the supporting wheel 23.

In order to securely hold each pick-up arm in either the operative orextended position illustrated in FIG. 3 or in an inwardly folded orreleased position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, interengageable lockingelements are provided on each arm and on the end casting. The

which is carried by the pick-up arm and which projects 'from a flatsurface portion 35, FIGS. 6 and 8, of the pick-up arm. The pin 34, as isseen best in FIG. 8, is

positioned in a bore 36 in the pick-up arm and is held in position by aset screw 37. The projecting pin is adapted to be received in one of twospaced recesses 37 and 38 which are formed in a locking plate 39, as isseen best in FIG. 7. The locking plate 39 is fixed with relation to thesupporting ear 32 and abuts thereagainst. Each locking plate 39 has aninwardly extending flange 40 that fits against the underside of the ear32 so as to preclude rotation of the plate 39 on the rod 31.

The locking means is yieldingly held in engagement by means of a spring41, FIG. 3, which surrounds the outer end of the rod 31 and abuts at oneend against a washer 42 carried by the extreme outer end of the rod 31,and at the opposite end against a portion of the arm 11 in a manner suchas to force the surface 35 of the arm against the outer facing surfaceof the locking plate 39. The recesses 37 and 38 are positioned 90 apartwith relation to the axis of the rod 31, as is seen best in FIG. 7.These recesses 37 and 33 and the pin 34 are so positioned that the pinwill be aligned with one recess when the arm is at a position extendingupwardly with relation to the frame, FIGS. 3 and 4, while the pin 34will be aligned with the other recess when the arm is inthe inwardlyfolded position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5.

Each arm may be selectively moved between these.

two positions by pulling outwardly on the arm against the bias of theresilient spring'41 so as to pull the proje'cting pin 34 away from thewalls of the recess with which it is engaged. The arm may then be swungto the other position and by releasing the outward pull on the arm, thespring will force the locking elements into engagement with one another.

Each of the arms 11 and 12 is particularly formed to enhance thehandling of the roll of material. Thus, each arm, as will be noted inFIG. 3, includes an outwardly convex surface portion 43 which. extendsthrough a distance from a point below the rod 31 to a point past the endof the rod. The pick-up arm also includes an outwardly facing surface 44that is generally fiat and which is inclined upwardly and inwardly whenthe arm is in the upwardly extended position or inclined towards thelongitudinal axis of the frame when the arm is inin- Wardly foldedposition.

The opposite or inner surface of the arm includes an outer portion 45which is inclined to the surface 44 so as to define therewith a wedge atthe outer end of the arm. The surface 45 leads to a concave surface 46which faces upwardly when the arms are in the extended position and thedolly is tilted to the position of FIG. 1.

When the dolly is so tilted, it may be disposed adjacent to a roll ofmaterial lying on its side, and the'roll is then rolled up the inclinedsurfaces 45 to a position of rest on the concave surfaces 46.

By swingably mounting the arms about axes extending transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the frame and at one side of the frame, the armsare easily folded inwardly to a position alongside the frame, as isillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, Where they present a minimum ofobstruction. This is especially important when it is realized that thesedollies must oftentimes be moved about a sales room where there areother items on display or down a relatively narrow corridor. Thus, whenthe arms are in the inwardly folded position, the curvilinear surfaces43 are less likely to cause damage, and the pick-up arms are in aposition where there is practically no hazard presented.

In using the dolly, the operator may wheel it to a position alongsidethe roll to be transported as by any suitable handle 47 formed on oneend casting. When alongside a roll, the operator may then pull outwardlyon the arms 11 and 12 and rotate them from the inwardly folded releasedor safe position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the upwardly extendedoperative position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this position, thesprings on the arms 11 and 12 snap the pins 34 into locking engagementin the upstanding roll-receiving or pick-up position. After insertion ofthe handles 13 and 14 in the sleeves 30, the operator then tilts theframe upwardly by lifting upwardly on the handles so that the framebecomes supported on the set of rollers 23 adjacent to the pick-up arms11 and 12. As this tilting motion continues, the lower curvilinearsurfaces 43 of the arms come in contact with the floor or supportingsurface, and the curvilinear surfaces 43 of these arms provide a smoothrolling motion as the weight of the frame is transferred to the arms.Such upward tilting movement of the frame continues until the dolly isdisposed in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 with the fiat surfaces 44of the arms resting firmly on the supporting floor or surface. It shouldbe noted that the center of gravity of the frame, as defined generallyby the rod 24, is so positioned that it overlies the flat surface 44when the dolly rests on the fiat surfaces 44. Thus, the frame becomesfirmly positioned on the fiat surfaces without danger of it tiltingover. The user can tilt a roll of linoleumLR about its bottom edge if itis upstanding andbring it to rest on the curvilinear surfaces of thearm, or in the event that the roll is resting or has been made to reposeon the floor, he may simply roll it up onto the upwardly facing concavesurfaces of the arms 11 and 12. After the roll is so positioned, theoperator may then, by pulling rearwardly on the handles 13 and 14,easily lift the roll and rock it about the lower curvilinear surfaces ofthe arms until the roll moves onto the supporting'rollers 15 and 17, asis illustrated in FIG. 3. The operator may then remove the handles 13and 14, fold the pick-up arms 11 and 12 inwardly, and transport the rollon the dolly to any desired location. The load, of course, will be quiteheavy, but the dolly can be steered pretty easily by using the pivotwheels 28.

It should be noted that the supporting rollers 15, 16 and 17 are sorelated that they may easily accommodate either large or small rolls ofmaterial. When the dolly is used for large rolls, only the rollers 15and 17 may be contacted by the rolls, whereas in the case of smallerrolls, the roll may come to rest between the roller 16 and one of theouter rollers 15 and 17.

it should also be noted that the curvilinear surface 46 of the arms isso related to the roller 17 that a roll of material being lifted by thearm progresses downwardly from the curvilinear surface and onto theroller 17 in a. relatively smooth rolling motion. This rolling motionwill, of course, commence before the arm reaches the positionillustrated in FIG. 3. V v

The dolly is easily formed by simply providing the end castings of theshape illustrated and by theri assemblying the relatively inexpensivespacer rods and supporting wheels. The supporting rollers 15, 16 and 17are easily positioned on these end castings. The pick-up arms may becast and are easily assembled with the end castings by simply slidingthem onto the rods 31 along with the locking plates 39.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have afiorded a novel pick-upand carriage dolly which enables a single person to easily handle arelatively heavy roll of material and which may be readily andeconomically produced commercially. The dolly can be easily steered, thepick-up arms can be easily moved into or out of operative position, andthe handle can be stored in an out-of-the-way position on the dollyitself.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment ofmy invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variationand modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to theprecise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changesand alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

1 claim:

1. A lifting and carriage dolly for elongated rolls including anelongated frame having roller means extending longitudinally thereof forsupporting an elongated roll of material thereon, said frame havingdepending supportin wheels journalled for rotation about axes transverseto the longitudinal axis of said frame, spaced pick-up arms pivotallymounted on said frame for movement between an inoperative foldedposition and an operative roll-receiving position and adapted to extend,when one side of said frame is tilted upwardly, to points adjacent thesupporting wheels for said frame so that a roll of material may bepositioned thereon for delivery to said roller means when said side ofsaid frame is moved downwardly, each pick-up arm having an outwardlyconvex surface and an outwardly facing flat surface inclined at an acuteangle with respect to a plane passed through the axes of said supportingwheels, said dolly being stably balanced on the flat surface of thepick-up arms when said one side of the frame is tilted upwardly to placethe dolly in roll-receiving position, pivot wheels disposed laterallyinwardly of said roller means and journalled for rotation intermediatethe length of said dolly and having the lower surfaces thereofprojecting below a plane passed through the lower surfaces of saidsupporting wheels when said frame is in a generally horizontal position,and handle means associated with said side of said frame for moving saiddolly to and from said tilted roll-receiving position.

2. A lifting and carriage dolly for elongated rolls including anelongated frame having roller means extending longitudinally thereof forsupporting an elongated roll of material thereon, said frame havingdepending supporting wheels journalled for rotation about axestransverse to the longitudinal axis of said frame, spaced pick-up armspivotally mounted on said frame, said arms being movable between aninoperative folded position and an operative roll-receiving position andadapted to extend, when one side of said frame is tilted upwardly, topoints adjacent a supporting surface for said frame so that a roll ofmaterial may be positioned thereon for delivery to said roller meanswhen said side of said frame is moved downwardly, each pick-up armhaving an out wardly convex surface and an outwardly facing flat surfaceinclined at an acute angle with respect to a plane passed through theaxes of said supporting wheels, said dolly being stably balanced on theflat surface of the pickup arms when said one side of the frame istilted upwardly to place the dolly in roll-receiving position, andhandle means associated with said side of said frame for moving saiddolly to and from said tilted roll-receiving position.

3. A lifting and carriage dolly for elongated rolls including anelongated frame having cast-end members and roller means extendinglongitudinally between said eastend members for supporting an elongatedroll of material thereon, said frame having depending supporting wheelsjournalled for rotation about axes transverse to the longitudinal axisof said frame, spaced pick-up arms pivotally mounted on said frame formovement between an inoperative folded position and an operativeroll-receiving position and adapted to extend, when one side of saidframe is tilted upwardly, to points adjacent a supporting surface forsaid frame so that a roll of material may be positioned thereon fordelivery to said roller means when said side of said frame is moveddownwardly, each pickup arm having an outwardly convex surface and anoutwardly facing flat surface inclined at an acute angle with respect toa plane passed through the axes of said supporting wheels, said dollybeing stably balanced on the flat surface of the pick-up arms when saidone side of the frame is tilted upwardly to place the dolly inroll-receiving position, means for holding each arm in both the foldedand roll-receiving positions comprising pin means carried by said arms,recessed locking plates mounted on the end castings, and spring meansfor biasing the pin means inwardly of the recesses in the lockingplates, and handle means associated with said side of said frame formoving said dolly to and from said tilted roll-receiving position.

4. A lifting and carriage dolly for elongated rolls including anelongated frame having roller means extending longitudinally thereof forsupporting an elongated roll of material thereon, said frame havingdepending supporting wheels journalled for rotation about axestransverse to the longitudinal axis of said frame, spaced pick-up armspivotally mounted on said frame for movement between an inoperativefolded position and an operative roll-receiving position and adapted toextend, when one side of said frame is tilted upwardly, to pointsadjacent a supporting surface for said frame so that a roll of materialmay be positioned thereon for delivery to said roller means when saidframe is moved downwardly, each pick-up arm having an outwardly convexsurface and an outwardly facing fiat surface inclined at an acute anglewith respect to a plane passed through the axes of said supportingwheels, said dolly being stably balanced on the fiat surface of thepick-up arms when said one side of the frame is tilted upwardly to placethedolly in roll-receiving position, and handle means associated withsaid side of said frame for moving said dolly to and from said tiltedroll-receiving position, said handle means including sleeve membershaving flanged elements and handle members insertable in the sleevemembers for tilting said dolly and otherwise insertable between theflanged elements for storage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS644,229 Heblethwaite Feb. 27, 1900 711,895 Hill Oct. 21, 1902 783,241Bisset Feb. 21, 1905 878,751 Schreiber Feb. 11, 1908 1,153,476 AnthonySept. 14, 1915 1,193,729 Stebler Aug. 8, 1916 1,515,824 Best Nov. 18,1924 1,856,069 Dina May 3, 1932 2,251,731 Daniels Aug. 5, 1941 2,417,553Jensen Mar. 18, 1947 2,477,278 Williams July 26, 1949 2,703,656 BanksMar. 8, 1955

